Marriage by Revenge: The Deceived Heiress

It left me penniless!

RAFAEL

Lina and I were driving back home, deep in conversation about the impending divorce with Mariel. Tomorrow, we will have our first meeting with the lawyers we have hired in San Francisco. It was crucial to keep this whole matter as private as possible; any public scandal could complicate things unnecessarily.

"Mariel really set me off today," I told Lina, unable to hide my frustration. "How dare she think she owns everything? I've worked tirelessly to build this company. I don't even know how she can say that half of it belongs to her. You were right, Lina."

Lina, who had been by my side every step of the way, nodded in agreement.

"I told you. That's why we have to act as soon as possible. Before you know it, she'll sink her claws in. She wants the company, Rafael. You have to act fast to protect what's yours and the future of our new child." She touched her belly as I looked at her for a few seconds.

The fear of losing the fruit of my labor and effort troubled my mind. The idea that Mariel could claim a significant part of the company in the divorce was unbearable.

We got home. While Lina showered, I sat before the computer, going through emails and documents, trying to clear my head. But my mind was spinning, trapped in a maze of worries and strategies.

Later, in bed, Lina turned to me, her eyes reflecting a mixture of concern about Mariel's visit to the company today. For a few seconds, we both thought Mariel knew Lina was my lover. I admit my whole body went cold when I saw her there.

"Rafael, we've been talking about our future together," she began softly. "I know the divorce isn't finalized yet, but have you thought about us? About getting married and starting a family?" Once again, she brought up the subject of marriage. I thought I had clarified that I couldn't think about that now.

Her words hit me with a reality I wasn't ready to face.

"Lina, I... I'm not divorced from Mariel yet. This is all too fast. I can't think about another wedding now, not when all my attention is on the company and this divorce. Why do you insist on this? We've been together for several years like this; why do you suddenly want a wedding?"

"Because I'm just your mistress!"

"The woman I love. That's more than enough. The mother of my child. Lina, you can't be insecure about this. It's just a matter of waiting."

I saw a shadow of disappointment cross her face, but she quickly hid it with an understanding smile.

"I understand, Rafael. It's just that with the baby on the way, I thought..."

I interrupted her softly, knowing where the conversation was going.

"I know, and I'm sorry. I want to be with you and our child, but all in good time. Firstly, I have to resolve this situation with Mariel and make sure the company is safe. You know that takes priority."

Lina nodded, snuggling up beside me.

"It's okay, Rafael. I'll be here to support you. Then, when the storm calms, you can put a ring on my finger."

As I hugged her, my mind was still restless. I knew I had to make quick and definitive decisions to safeguard my life, work, and future. Mariel had been an important part of my life but now, with everything at stake, I couldn't afford the luxury of sentimentality.

I lay awake long after Lina fell asleep, thinking about the meeting with the lawyers the next day. I had to be firm and clear. I couldn't let Mariel jeopardize everything I had built with her claims and emotions.

Sleep eluded me as thoughts swirled in my head. Although I had chosen this path, part of me couldn't help but feel a pang of pain for everything lost in the process. Mariel, the woman I once loved, was now on the other side of a battle I never wanted to fight.

But life sometimes takes you down unexpected paths, and now I had to move on to the people and things that mattered most to me: Lina, our child, and the company. Tomorrow would be a decisive day and I had to be ready to face it.

***

Fighting the unease that gripped me, I got out of bed carefully, trying not to wake Lina. I went to the window, observing the city lights. The moon's reflection in the glass was like a mirror of my inner conflicts.

"How did I get here?" I asked myself silently.

I remember the early days with Mariel. They were days full of love and passion. It was all so beautiful that I thought it was crazy. Then came the company, the dreams, and the sacrifices. But before Lina interrupted our lives, I already felt that Mariel and I were drifting apart or that I was drifting apart from her because, although she still felt the same way she did for me at the beginning, my feelings had started to change. Maybe something was missing, but I couldn’t figure it out. I never imagined we would end up in this abyss of bitterness and legal disputes. But as they say, things change. I had changed. And that was when Lina came into my life—when I no longer felt connected to Mariel. Now, with a child on the way, my life has taken a completely different course.

I went back to bed, but sleep was still elusive. My mind kept going over the meeting with the lawyers. I knew I had to be strategic, but part of me felt guilty. Was it fair to Mariel? Had I been honest with her? I shook my head, trying to push those thoughts away. This was not the time to doubt; it was time to act.

***

At dawn, Lina and I got ready for the meeting. The atmosphere at breakfast was tense; we both knew what was at stake.

"I trust you," Lina said, placing her hand on mine. "Whatever you do, I know it's for our future."

The meeting with the lawyers was exhaustive. We discussed every detail of the divorce and every possible scenario. I stated my position.

"The company was my creation, my effort, and I could not allow Mariel to keep a part of it."

The lawyers nodded, taking note of my arguments and preparing their strategy.

Leaving the meeting, I felt a mixture of relief and anxiety. I had taken another step toward protecting my life and company, but at an emotional cost that I still couldn't fully measure.

***

MARIEL

I was in a meeting room, facing two lawyers my brother had recommended. I felt like a fish out of water, insecure and vulnerable, but I knew this meeting was crucial.

The lead attorney, Mr. Thompson, was a middle-aged man with a penetrating gaze and a calm voice that conveyed confidence. Beside him, Ms. Klein, a younger woman with a firm demeanor and a sharp look, seemed ready to face any challenge.

"Mrs. Mariel, we understand you are in a complicated situation," Mr. Thompson began. "We need to know all the details to advise and represent you properly."

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"Rafael's company was floated with my financial resources. I financed it at the beginning. All the initial capital came from my inheritance. But we never legalized anything because I never envisaged a divorce. As a result, there are no contracts or documents to prove it."

Mr. Thompson broke into a frown, his face unable to hide his concern.

"That complicates things," he admitted. "Without documentation to support your financial contribution, it will be a challenge to prove your involvement in the company."

The conversation progressed to the finances of the marriage. We discussed bank accounts, properties, and investments. I realized how little I knew about these matters; Rafael had always handled that part of our lives.

"We are going to need access to all the marriage's financial information," said Ms. Klein, taking meticulous notes. "Bank statements, property deeds, tax returns, and everything involved. They will all be crucial to your case. Also, it would be helpful to gather any communication or evidence that may indicate your involvement in the company or your financial contribution. Emails, messages, even testimonies from people who were aware of your participation can be helpful."

The meeting continued with a whirlwind of legal terms and strategies. We discussed possible scenarios, from negotiation to litigation. The lawyers assured me that they would do everything possible. However, they also stated clearly that the case would be challenging without concrete evidence.

Leaving the meeting, I was terrified of losing everything. I knew I was in an uphill battle, but I was also determined to fight for what was right, for what I had co-built, even if it meant facing Rafael and his lawyers in court.

***

That day, my parents visited me after the first meeting with the lawyers.

My parents were sitting in my living room, their faces livid at everything that had been happening since Rafael asked me for a divorce.

My mother held a cup of tea with trembling hands, while my father wore a frown that made him look ready to act.

"I can't believe Rafael is doing this to you, Mariel," my mother said, her voice full of anguish. "After all you've given him, is this how he repays you?"

My father nodded in agreement and clenched his jaw with anger. "If you need anything, anything at all, just ask," he said. "We won't let that man take what's yours."

I thanked them, appreciating their offer of help. But I didn't want to worry them. I already had enough to worry about.

"Manuel is already helping me with the lawyers," I told them. "But still, thank you. It means a lot to me."

After my parents left, I was left alone with my thoughts, feeling the weight of the situation. I decided to call my brother. I needed to share my fears with someone who understood.

"Manuel, I'm still worried," I confessed as soon as he answered. "I have no proof of anything. There is no prenuptial agreement to help us. Everything seems to be in Rafael's hands."

"I understand your concern, Mariel," Manuel replied calmly. "But we're not giving up. We are going to explore every possible option. There are other ways to approach this."

"But how?" I asked, feeling a surge of despair. "Rafael seems to have all the advantages. He controls the company, the assets, everything we ever built together."

"We're going to look for testimonials and any kind of evidence that shows your contribution to the company," Manuel suggested. "Friends, family, employees, someone must know something that can help us."

"Okay," I said, trying to inject some confidence into my voice. "I'll make a list of people I can talk to. Maybe someone remembers something I can use."

"Exactly," said Manuel. "And remember, Mariel, you're not alone in this. The whole family is with you."

***

The next day, I went to the bank to get information about our joint accounts and the assets Rafael and I shared. I needed to see for myself the extent of our financial situation, and also look for more information that could be useful to the lawyers.

However, what I discovered left me stunned and deeply concerned.

I approached the bank window and asked for a summary of all our accounts. The employee, after a few moments of reviewing her computer, frowned in confusion.

"Ma'am, it appears that you have been removed from all joint accounts except for one," she said, looking at me with sympathy and bewilderment.

I felt the ground vanish beneath my feet.

"How is that possible?" I asked, my voice trembling. "What are you talking about? What does this mean? Please, explain because it can't be possible."

The employee accompanied me to speak with the manager, who confirmed the information.

"I am sorry to tell you that your husband, as the primary owner of the accounts, had the authority to alter the ownership without your consent or prior notification. The change was made yesterday, as you can see in the records. Right now, you only appear in one account. You can see the amount you have in it and everything related to it."

I clung to the counter, trying to process what they were saying. My world was spinning and I felt nauseous.

How could this happen?

"But how can he just take me off our accounts? Doesn't that have legal implications?" I insisted, feeling increasingly desperate. "He's taken all my money! All of it!" What was in the only account he left me with was almost nothing. It was only enough to last me a month. I couldn't even pay the lawyers with that.

"I understand that this is very difficult for you, ma'am, but legally your husband is within his rights to make these changes. It is common practice for one spouse to manage the finances in the marriage. In this case, Mr. Lorenzo had control over the accounts since they were created."

"Damn it! That son of a b***h!"

I left the bank feeling helpless and afraid. Rafael had not only decided to divorce me, but he was also making sure that I was left in a financially vulnerable position. He was messing with not just my emotions but also my entire life, taking away any sense of security or stability I had.

As I drove home, the implications of what I had just discovered began to sink in. Rafael had always been in charge of our finances, and I had trusted him blindly.

I never imagined he would use that control against me.

I realized I was in a much more precarious position than I had thought. Without access to most of our accounts and assets, I faced the possibility of financial liquidation stemming from the divorce. Rafael was playing a game I didn't know how to win.

I arrived home feeling defeated and betrayed. Everything we had built together, everything I had believed about our marriage was crumbling. Rafael was willing to leave me with nothing.

How could he do this to me?

I looked at the time; if I stayed home, I would go crazy. I just couldn't watch him do this to me without putting up a reaction.

Something had to be done. I had to return to the company regardless of the shame and embarrassment it would cost me as it did earlier.